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Published on: March 20, 2012
Constrained optimization of metabolic cost in human hopping
Anne K Gutmann1, John E A Bertram
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA. agutmann@uidaho.edu
Experimental Physiology
|March 30, 2013
Summary
Human hopping movement selection is largely predicted by optimizing metabolic cost under constraints. However, for sustained hopping, individuals adjust parameters to minimize energy expenditure over time, not just per hop.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Human walking and running gait parameters are largely predicted by constrained optimization of metabolic cost per distance.
- The application of this principle to human hopping, a distinct mode of locomotion, remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether constrained optimization of metabolic cost also predicts gait parameters during human hopping.
- To determine how constraints on hop frequency and height influence movement selection.
Main Methods:
- Measured hop frequency (f), height (h), and metabolic energy expenditure during hopping under various constrained (partly, fully) and unconstrained conditions.
- Constructed metabolic cost surfaces from experimental data for 4-minute trials.
- Calculated the least metabolically costly behavior for each constraint.
Main Results:
- Under partly constrained conditions, subjects selected a consistent height-frequency pattern due to a lack of a distinct metabolic cost minimum.
- For short-duration (15s) frequency-constrained hopping, selected heights were near-maximal, aligning with optimization predictions.
- During longer (4min) trials, subjects chose lower-than-optimal heights and higher-than-optimal frequencies, suggesting a trade-off to sustain effort.
Conclusions:
- Constrained optimization of metabolic cost is a significant factor in human hopping, particularly for short durations.
- For prolonged hopping, humans prioritize a sustainable metabolic cost per time over the absolute minimum cost per hop.
- Movement selection in hopping involves a balance between minimizing instantaneous cost and maintaining endurance.
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